The AAS Committee on the Status of Women in Astronomy maintains this blog to disseminate information relevant to astronomers who identify as women. If you have an idea for a blog post or topic, please submit to wia-blog at lists.aas.org.
The views expressed on this site are not necessarily the views of the CSWA, the AAS, its Board of Trustees, or its membership.

Something that has been bothering me about the anti-harassment discussion in our community is the denial from allies that they are capable of being a harasser and predator. In the worst cases there appear to be wolves in sheep’s clothing within our equity and inclusion groups. In lesser cases, we need to acknowledge that claiming to be an ally while ogling or fanaticizing of our co-workers is a form of grooming that is best stopped before it starts.

I wish to be considered an ally, and I also acknowledge that I am capable of harassment and predation.

Back to top.2. How We Got from Then (1971) to Now -- The Annie Jump Cannon Award and the First Working Group on the Status of Women in AstronomyFrom: Nancy Morrison [nancyastro126_at_gmail.com]

After some delay, for which I apologize, I have posted the slides from Roberta Humphreys'interesting presentation at the CSWA special session at AAS 231 in Washington, DC in January, 2018. Its topic was the history of the Annie J. Cannon award and the beginnings of the CSWA.

Back to top.4. Maria Mitchell Women in Science Symposium Early Bird Registration Deadline Extended to August 1From: Regina Jorgenson [rjorgenson_at_mariamitchell.org]

Early Bird Registration Deadline Extended!

The Maria Mitchell Women in Science Symposium will take place on October 5 and 6 at the Babson Executive Conference Center in Wellesley, MA. Celebrating the 200th birthday of Maria Mitchell, America’s first woman astronomer (1818 - 1889), this Symposium is designed to serve as an inspiration and support for women and other minoritized groups studying, working and teaching in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Keynote speakers include renowned astronomers Jill Tarter and Meg Urry, as well as internationally acclaimed author Dava Sobel ('The Glass Universe,' 'Longitude,' 'Galileo’s Daughter’).

Early bird registration before August 1. Limited number of scholarships available for students and teachers!

Back to top.5. Overlooked No More: Beatrice Tinsley, Astronomer Who Saw the Course of the UniverseFrom: Heather Flewelling [heather_at_ifa.hawaii.edu]

By Dennis Overbye

"In 1967 a very prominent astronomer visited Dallas to give a talk. Before he could speak, however, a young woman named Beatrice Tinsley stood up and told the audience that everything they were about to hear was wrong.

Thus began a feud that changed cosmology, the study of the origin and evolution of the universe."

Back to top.6. More Than a Century Ago, Astronomer Phoebe Waterman Defied Her DoubtersFrom: JoEllen McBride [joellen.mcbride_at_gmail.com]

By Melissa Joskow

"She kept her telescope in a wooden box in the basement. Phoebe Waterman Haas had observed hundreds of stars with it over the years, plotting light curves as their brightness flickered. Her grandson, Thomas Haas, saw the refractor nestled away just once, when he helped her retrieve it one night in 1966. He was 11 years old. “I remember it like it was yesterday,” says Tom. “We stayed one evening after dinner. My brothers and sister were there and she brought out this beautiful brass telescope. She put it in the back yard and showed us the stars and the moon.” Waterman Haas died the next year, and it was only decades after, when Tom began to research his grandmother’s life, that he discovered she knew just a little bit more about stars than the names of the few she taught him that night."

Two recent studies show how receiving an initial grant sets young scientists up for future funding success.

In the Netherlands, young scientists who just met the qualifications to receive post-PhD funding secured twice as much funding in the following eight years and were 50% more likely to become professors than those who just missed the mark.

Back to top.8. When Women Stopped CodingFrom: Heather Flewelling [flewelling.heather_at_gmail.com]

By Steve Henn

"Modern computer science is dominated by men. But it hasn't always been this way.

A lot of computing pioneers — the people who programmed the first digital computers — were women. And for decades, the number of women studying computer science was growing faster than the number of men. But in 1984, something changed. The percentage of women in computer science flattened, and then plunged, even as the share of women in other technical and professional fields kept rising.

"Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are popular topics on YouTube. Some channels that stream videos on these subjects have millions of subscribers. Most are hosted by men.

“There is a lot of discussion about YouTube being an unpleasant environment for female creators,” said Inoaka Amarasekara, an Australian researcher in science communication. “I wanted to see if that affected science communication on YouTube, and if that was something I could corroborate.”

Back to top.11. For Scientists Running for Congress, Victory Doesn't Depend on ScienceFrom: JoEllen McBride [joellen.mcbride_at_gmail.com]

Let's get some astrophysicists on the ballot!

By David S. Rauf

"Aruna Miller entered June’s Democratic primary for a highly prized Maryland seat in the U.S. Congress with several advantages. She had seven opponents, but Miller had pulled in the most money from outside donors, was already a state lawmaker and had locked down endorsements from more than two-dozen of her colleagues, and had gender on her side—women in 2018 are outperforming expectations in U.S. federal election primaries across the country."